National culture and infrastructure development: A comparison among four cultural typologies

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to investigate the predictive influence of national cultural models on national infrastructure development. The national culture models of Hofstede, GLOBE, Ronen and Shenkar, and the World and European Values Survey (WEVS), were measured and compared to ascertain the best prediction fit for national infrastructure development.

Design/methodology/approach

A literature review examined four established cultural models, most of which (with the exception of the WEVS) assert stable, holistic models of national culture for business applications. The argument for cultural divergence in key moderators and mediators such as infrastructure development was also discussed. Then each model's predictability was measured with set correlation methodology, using GDP and population as co‐variates. Also, the marginal influence of the other three cultural typologies were controlled for in each respective analysis.

Findings

Each model was found to have a positive significant prediction relationship with national culture infrastructure growth. The most promising model is the WEVS which explains a substantial proportion of the variance in national infrastructure. Additionally, WEVS has a higher predictive link to each infrastructure area than the other models. These results are preliminary and cross‐sectional, yet they suggest that dynamic cultural models may be the best predictors of infrastructure development.

Practical implications

The study shows that increased efforts by the private sector and government can rely on dynamic models to boost national GDPs, and give better strategic guidance to foreign financial investment and human resources management.

Originality/value

The paper supports the hypotheses that national culture models can “grow” GDP to a healthy level through prediction, assessment, and then taking necessary interventions.

Citation

Mayfield, J. and Mayfield, M. (2012), "National culture and infrastructure development: A comparison among four cultural typologies", Competitiveness Review, Vol. 22 No. 5, pp. 396-410. https://doi.org/10.1108/10595421211266285